# NTSB ERA17WA230: Gulfstream G1159A, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela, July 4, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Foreign investigation
- Date: July 4, 2017, 17:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Nueva Esparta, Venezuela
- Coordinates: 11.049722, -64.709442 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=11.0497&lon=-64.7094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 9 fatal
- Status: Led by another country's authority
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Lead agency: Other
- Parties: FAA/AVP-100
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95501
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17WA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95501/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17WA230

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-cruise: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md)

## Factual narrative

On July 4, 2017, about 1745 coordinated universal time (UTC), a Gulfstream 1159A, Venezuela registration YV2895, descended into the Caribbean Sea northwest of Nueva Esparta, Venezuela, and was presumed to be destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the foreign, non-commercial personal flight from Margarita Del Caribe International Airport (SVMG), Nueva Esparta, Venezuela, to Maiquetia Simon Bolivar International Airport (SVMI), Vargas, Venezuela. Two occupants were recovered and were fatally injured while the remaining 7 occupants were not recovered and were presumed to be fatally injured. The flight originated from SVMG about 1725 UTC.According to preliminary information, after takeoff the airplane proceeded in a west-northwesterly heading and climbed to 20,000 ft. During cruise flight, a flight crewmember advised the controller of a malfunction of the hydraulic system, and descended to 16,000 ft. A flight crewmember then advised the controller of a discrepancy with the flight controls. While flying at 3,000 ft, radio contact was lost. A search for the aircraft and occupants was initiated, but the main wreckage has not been recovered. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the government of Venezuela. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: General Directorate for Research and Prevention of Air Accidents Av. Francisco de Miranda Torre MTT, Piso 20 Chacao, Caracas 1060 Venezuela Tel.: (58) 212-274-5590 / 5464, (58) 426-518-6717 / 414-219-2717 AFTN: SVCCLALX Telex: 24626 MTCAC VC Cable: DIGETRAERO-CARACAS Website: www.mpptaa.gob.ve This report is for informational purposes only, and contains only information released by or obtained for the Government of Venezuela.

## Aircraft

- Registration: YV2896 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GULFSTREAM G1159A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 469
- Engines: Rolls-Royce 511-8 11400 lbs thrust turbo fan; Rolls-Royce 511-8 11400 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Non-U.S., non-commercial
- Operator: Servicio Autonomo de Transporte Aereo (SATA)
- Registered owner: Servicio Autonomo de Transporte Aereo (SATA)
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: SVMG, Nueva
- Destination: SVMI, Vargas
- Flight plan: IFR
- Equipment: Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: fatal; airline transport; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations
- Co-pilot; age 43; injuries: fatal; airline transport; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observed at: SVMG, 45 nm away

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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